Skirt-supporter.



No. 808,576. PATENTED DEC. 26,. 1905.

J. M. ROBERTS.

SKIRT SUPPORTER.

APPLICATIONFILBD MAY4.1905.

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alike-Lama STATES ATENT @FFTQE SKlRT-SUPPORTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1905.

Application filed May 4, 1905. Serial No. 258,830.

7 To a whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrn M. ROBERTS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Diego, in the county of St. John and State of Florida, have invented new and useful Improvements in Skirt-Supporters, of which. the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a skirt lifter and supporter, the object of the invention being to provide a simple, effective, and ornamental device by which a lady s dress-skirt may be lifted and supported to prevent dragging of the bottom of the skirt upon a street or floor surface, thus obviating the necessity of supporting the skirt by hand.

Another object is to provide a combined belt and skirt-supporter of this character.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the application of the invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the device detached. Fig. 3 is a section through the belt. and an edge view, partly in section, of one of the suspension-straps. Fig. 4 is a rear perspective view of the skirt-claisps. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section through the triangular loop and an edge view of the supporting-strap. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section through one of the suspension straps, showing the adjusting means thereof. I

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 represents a waistband or belt, which may be of the ordinary or any approved construction and provided with suitable means for securing it about the waist of the wearer.

Secured to one side of the belt are spaced hooks or suspension devices 2, adapted to be engaged by snap-hooks 3, securedto the upper end of a pair of suspension straps 4. The straps 4 converge toward their lower end and are secured to the converging sides or portions of a triangular connecting-loop 5, which is preferably made of metal and may be suitably ornamented. Each suspensionstrap 4 is longitudinally adjustable, and to this end is secured at one end to the hook 3 and passed around the loop 5 and secured at its opposite or free end to a sliding clasp 6, which is provided with a hinged jaw 6, whereby the clasp may be secured in adjusted position at any point along the length of the strap to regulate the effective supporting length thereof.

To the loop 5 is fastened a two-part supportingstrap carrying at its lower end a dress-engaging clasp 8. The upper section 7 of this strap is secured at its upper end to the base portion of the loop 5 and is provided at its lower end with a buckle 12. The lower section 7 is apertured at its upper end for engagement with the tongue of said buckle to permit the supporting-strap to be shortened or lengthened as occasion requires and is secured at its lower end to the dress-engaging clasp 8. The clasp 8 comprises a body portion or plate 9, carrying a spring jaw or clamp 1 0,the upper end of the plate 9 being formed with a slot 11, through which the lower end of the strap-section 7 is passed and sewed or otherwise connected with the body portion of said strap-section.

The clamp or jaw 10 comprises a strip of spring metal, which is secured at one end by a rivet or other suitable fastening 13 to the plate 9 and is formed with a bowed portion 14, terminating in a clamping edge or jaw 15, bent inwardly toward the plate 9. Projecting from the outer face of said clamp is a retracting pin or shank 16, which extends through an opening 17 in the plate, so that it may be operated from the exterior to force the jaw 15 out of engagement with the plate.

In employing the device the belt 1 is secured upon the person and the straps 4 and 7 adjusted to regulate the position of the clasp 8 to'hold the lower edge of the skirt at the desired elevation, after which the retracting-pin 16 is pressed upon to force the jaw 15 away from the plate, the body of the skirt formed into a fold which is placed between the plate and jaw, and the jaw then released to clamp the fold against said plate, whereby the lower portion of the skirt will be held uplifted and supported from the belt through the straps 4 and 7. By this means the lower edge of the skirt may be supported at any desired elevation to prevent the same from dragging upon a street or floored surface, thus obviating the necessity of supporting the same by hand. The clasp 8 and other parts of the device may be made as ornamental as desired to suit the taste and fancy of the manufacturer and user.

The object in making the suspension-straps 4 adjustable as to length is to permit the clasp 8 to be engaged with the skirt when the supporting-strap '7 hangs from the side of the belt in a direct vertical line or forward or rearward of said line, the adjustability of said straps permitting the user to attach the clasp to a dress at a desired point, according to the taste or fancy or accordingly as it is desired to hold the front or rear portion of the skirt elevated. Without this adjustable feature it willbe readily understood that when the clasp is thrown to the front or rear of a direct vertical line one of the suspension-straps would be fully extended, while the other would not, but would assume a bowed or offset position, thus rendering the device unsightly, an objection which my construction avoids.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, mode of use, and advantages of the invention will be readily un derstood without a further extended description.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is- A device of the character described comprising a supporting-belt, a garment-engaging clas'p, suspension-straps, each independently adjustable as to length, hooks upon the upper ends of said straps detachably engaging the supporting-belt, a triangular loop to the sides of which said suspension-straps are connected at their lower ends, and a sup porting-strap carrying the garment-engag ing clasp and connected with the base portion of the triangular loop, said supportingstrap also being adjustable as to length, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH M. ROBERTS.

Witnesses:

CI-rAs. W. KINNE, HOLLAND WILLIAMS. 

